Thursday, June 4
As for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it.—Gen. 2:17.
Upon reading Jehovah’s command to Adam, many today would say that Adam was denied the freedom to do what he wanted. In saying so, they are confusing the exercise of one’s free will with the right to decide what is good and what is bad. Adam and Eve did have the freedom to choose whether they would obey God or not. However, only Jehovah has the right to decide in the absolute sense what is good and what is bad, as symbolized by “the tree of the knowledge of good and bad” in the garden of Eden. (Gen. 2:9) By means of his command, Jehovah lovingly taught Adam and Eve the way to exercise true freedom. As it turned out, our first parents chose to disobey. Did Adam and Eve’s choice eventually enhance their freedom in any way? Sadly, it did not. In striving for self-determination, they lost the true freedom they had been given. w18.04 5-6 ¶9-12
June 1-7
GENESIS 44-45
Song 130 and Prayer
Opening Comments (1 min.)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Joseph Forgives His Brothers”: (10 min.)
Ge 44:1, 2—Joseph tested his brothers’ motives (w15 5/1 14-15)
Ge 44:33, 34—Judah pleaded in Benjamin’s behalf
Ge 45:4, 5—Joseph imitated Jehovah’s willingness to forgive
Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)
Ge 44:13—What was signified by the ripping of garments? (it-2 813)
Ge 45:5-8—What can help us to endure injustice? (w04 8/15 15 ¶15)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?
Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ge 45:1-15 (th study 10)
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the video Informative to Your Audience, and then discuss study 18 of the Teaching brochure.
Talk: (5 min. or less) w06 2/1 31—Theme: Did Joseph use a special silver cup to read omens, as Genesis 44:5, 15 seems to indicate? (th study 18)
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
Local Needs: (10 min.)
Organizational Accomplishments: (5 min.) Play the Organizational Accomplishments video for June.
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 117
Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)
Song 19 and Prayer